The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of training camp and preseason games, as the team has some intriguing roster competitions.
One player who is looking to make the Maple Leafs roster is top forward prospect Easton Cowan. Cowan has a chance to earn a top-six role, as he has the upside of filling that need.
However, Maple Leafs insider Mike Johnson of TSN believes Cowan will be sent to the AHL as he is one of the easier cuts to make.
“I don’t think there are great not because he’s not talented. But, because of the same problem I just outlined,” Johnson said on OverDrive. “There are too many players, and he’s the easiest guy (to cut). No waivers, all the stuff we know about it. He can go to the American League and star, power play, 23 minutes (a night), first line, all that stuff you would like him to grow into, then a lesser role he’d play to make this lineup.”
Johnson believes Cowan needs to truly impress to have a chance to make the Maple Leafs roster, which he doesn’t expect to be the case. The insider also doesn’t think Cowan is fast enough to make an impact in the NHL right now, so he thinks playing in the AHL is best for his development.
Cowan was selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Coach Pleased With Cowan
Although Johnston doesn’t expect Cowan to make the roster, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube has been impressed with him.
Berube says he asked Cowan to do certain things ahead of the offseason to improve his game, and the coach feels like he did everything he asked for.
“For sure. The conversations I had with him before camp… He’s doing those things, you know? Simplified, simple hockey, and using his speed,” Berube said on Sept. 23 after the preseason game. “Obviously, he has abilities out there, with making plays and things like that — which he showed me tonight — but they were the right plays at the right time, which is important. I thought that he played directly all game. He worked and hounded, back checked, and did a lot of good things.”
However, even though Berube has been impressed with Cowan, he still isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. But, he is making it a more difficult conversation as Berube says Cowan stood out in the preseason loss to the Ottawa Senators.
“I liked Easton’s game. He did a lot of good things. He was physical, he played direct, and he got some opportunities on net. Overall, I liked his game,” Berube added.
John Tavares Praises Cowan
As Cowan is trying to earn a roster spot on the Maple Leafs, he has impressed some players.
John Tavares has been impressed with Cowan so far.
“He just seems a lot more comfortable, I think, in what every day is going to bring,” Tavares said about Cowan. “A much better understanding of just what training camps (are) all about, of playing at the NHL level, and what the standard is, what the expectations are. Not trying to do too much, but just naturally let his talent and skill-set come out through his work ethic.”
Even if Cowan doesn’t make the opening night roster, he still could play a role in the NHL down the stretch.
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